Shashi Tharoor and ED Mathew write | Can the next UN secretary-general revive global peace?

• U.S. envoys Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff are scheduled to fly to the Middle East to engage in fresh peace talks aimed at stabilizing the region. • The diplomatic mission comes as the existing ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is reportedly at a breaking point, risking a return to open conflict.

• Iran has launched a series of attacks against United States forces stationed in the region as of June 28, 2026. • These military actions are intended to deter the U.S. from interfering with Iran's strategic efforts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz.

• The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to halt hostilities and cease strikes against one another. • In a contrasting development, Pakistan launched new military strikes against the Afghan border on Sunday.

• The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has collapsed following a series of fresh military strikes from both nations. • The escalation was triggered by an attack on a commercial oil tanker located in the Strait of Hormuz.

• The United States and Iran have agreed to cease military counter-strikes following several days of escalation that threatened to break a fragile ceasefire. • Both nations will meet this coming Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, to engage in diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving their ongoing dispute.

• Qatar reported that one of its citizens was killed by shrapnel resulting from "military operations" following an Iranian drone attack on June 28. • The IDF demolished a major Hezbollah tunnel, an action previously stalled by U.S. pressure, while citing a security annex that allows full freedom of action in the security zone.

• Renewed Iranian attacks following U.S. strikes have created tensions that may jeopardize ongoing diplomatic discussions between the two nations. • A Pakistani source reported to MS NOW that talks are currently on hold, though the Trump administration has denied that any meetings were canceled.

• U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes on 10 Iranian military targets located in and near the Strait of Hormuz. • The operation, shared via video by U.S. Central Command (Centcom) on Sunday, was launched in response to an Iranian drone attack on the vessel M/T Kiku.

• Bloomberg Opinion columnist Andreas Kluth argues that the "America First" policy is rapidly evolving into "America Alone." • The commentary highlights how President Donald Trump is accelerating the process of alienating international allies and isolating the United States.

• The United Nations continues to serve as the primary global forum for addressing transnational challenges that individual countries cannot resolve independently. • The organization focuses on its core mandates of safeguarding international peace, protecting human rights, and managing global security.

• Iran launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait following recent U.S. strikes on Iran's southern coast. • The attacks signal a breakdown of the ceasefire in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two nations.